Rock bottom and with just a single point from Norwich’s first three matches, Dean Smith’s days might have looked numbered at Carrow Road.
Norwich had eased to promotion the last two times they had played at this level and were widely tipped to do so again this season.
But after a feeble survival bid last term and a dreadful start back in the second tier, fans’ patience was wearing thin and this match already felt like a must-win.
Danel Sinani scored as Norwich beat Huddersfield to get their first league win of the season
Josh Sargent (right) opened the scoring for the Canaries as they prevailed past Huddersfield
That was achieved in stylish fashion as Norwich swatted aside last season’s play-off finalists Huddersfield, with goals from Josh Sargent and Danel Sinani.
Sargent opened the scoring after just six minutes, making a clever run off the ball to latch on to the end of Sinani’s cross to head past Huddersfield’s Lee Nicholls.
The United States international struggled for goals in his first season at Carrow Road, netting just four times in 29 matches and often finding himself playing on the right wing.
But handed a start through the middle as Teemu Pukki nurses a bruised foot, this was a chance for Sargent to shine as he eyes a spot in USA’s World Cup starting XI.
Norwich’s victory moves them off the foot of the table and eases the pressure on Dean Smith
He took that chance with his goal — and then added an assist minutes later as his scuffed shot found Sinani. The forward picked his spot well amid the desperate challenges of five Huddersfield players on the line to score.
Just three months ago, Sinani lined up for Huddersfield in a play-off final at Wembley which they could have easily won. What a different team the Terriers look now, having lost several key players and their influential boss Carlos Corberan.
Now managed by former player Danny Schofield, Huddersfield’s night got even worse just minutes into the second half, when Sargent charged through on goal, only to be hauled down by Tom Lees. The defender was shown a red card and that felt like game over.
But the visitors made a valiant late charge, as 19-year-old Patrick Jones pulled one back. Smith’s men stood firm and held on for a vital first win of the season.
Jay Rodriguez celebrates after he scored the equaliser for Burnley against Hull City
Elsewhere, Hull missed the chance to go top as they drew with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Ozan Tufan opened the scoring for the Tigers but Jay Rodriguez levelled for the hosts.
Kompany’s side put in another dominant performance but Hull defended deep, with their fans ironically chanting ‘anti-football’.
Swansea threw away a two-goal lead at the death as Millwall scored in the 93rd and 95th minute to snatch a point in Wales. Remarkably, both were own goals — by Ben Cabango and Nathan Wood.
Bristol City got their first league win despite being reduced to 10 men against Luton, with goals from Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway.